From Bernard Chasan, a physicist at Boston University (many thanks to him for e-mailing this, and allowing me to quote it):
A friend, hearing me deplore the dearth of good classical radio stations and the increasing age of the audience, asked: why is classical music so important? My answer: there is nothing else in my experience which so allows the expression of the deepest emotions within a framework of almost mathematical logic. The combination is a very powerful one.
This was my answer ten years ago — a bit formal and abstract, but after all I am a physicist. Ten years later, approaching 70, I would add that in a way which I do not understand at all, classical music can express spirituality.


Recent Comments
Greg Sandow on Good news from Toronto
Thanks! It's wonderful to have this corroboration. I'm sure Peter Oundjian is a crucial part of the Symphony's success.Greg Sandow on Philharmonic clarification
Christina, when the Philharmonic played in Lewisohn Stadium, they didn't have any marketing department. Or any corporate sponsors. Those things...D Shapiro on Good news from Toronto
As a subscriber, and a parent of a 29-year-old, I can provide a little insight. My daughter is fairly typical...Christina Jensen on Philharmonic clarification
If that is true, it's unlikely any publicists were involved, but rather marketing departments and corporate sponsorship folks. http://nyphil.org/support/corporate_benefits.cfmJon Silpayamanant on Good news from Toronto
Some classical music institutions attract a young audience by lowering ticket prices, but then they need funding to offset the...